Swords that I’m taking to Birmingham

[Matsunoki]

Several members have kindly asked what I’m taking to the Birmingham Arms Fair this Sunday.

I have done a very simple/basic “info tag” to accompany each piece  and I attach images of the 14 tags below.

Please remember that I am not a dealer and I am not an expert and as such some of it is my personal opinion. However much of the info on them has come from the kind members on this Forum over the past few years ….thank you all again.

My personal taste is for complete and original swords in original koshirae, not papered pieces in shirasaya, and this selection represents that. 
All are now packed away ready but I’m happy to try and answer any questions. 
Maybe see you there? Middle hall, stand 81.

[Matsunoki]

…..the other 3

[lonely panet]

Pics of the kanenaga tanto??

[Volker62]

Hi Colin

 

I'm interested in the Tanto by Watanabe Kanenaga, it would be nice toget more information and the price..

 

 

The Tanto by Kananaga forged for General Eugen Ott (Hitler's Ambassador )was found here in Muinch Schwabing in 1998, I sold it (what a pity) with Bill Rannow

[Matsunoki]

@Volker62, I have replied via your PM.

Sadly I am only considering UK sales due to the horrendous shipping problems we have here in the UK.

[Volker62]

No Problem Colin

 

 

 

 

you don't need to ship outside UK

[Matsunoki]

@Volker62….see PM

[Matsunoki]

The Yari is sold pending payment.

[vitamin]

You can't ship to USA? We saved you from the Nazis. ;D

[Matsunoki]

1 hour ago, vitamin said:

You can't ship to USA? We saved you from the Nazis. ;D

Bad taste mate. Go have a go at our carriers. I’m totally pissed off with them as well. 

[Matsunoki]

6 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

You can't ship to USA? W

Or go have a go at some of your customs people and carriers who steal swords.

[Brian]

3 hours ago, vitamin said:

You can't ship to USA? We saved you from the Nazis. ;D

Not a nice answer. I trust that was in jest.
I know Colin would love to be able to ship outside of the UK, but their laws are making that extremely difficult. I'm sure if you find a proxy in the UK who will receive it for you until you can find a way to ship, Colin would be happy to help.
Have the same issues here, with none of the courier companies willing to ship knives. I have a lot of valuable knives I'd love to sell to the USA, but there simply isn't a way to safely send them.

[lonely panet]

i sold sword into the UK,  a few years ago and customs was very difficult.  it was returned twice,  and from what iv heard there only more radical now.

so i can completely understand why colin donst want  the hassle.

 

but the kanenaga tanto was making my toes tingle abit

[Bugyotsuji]

Magnificent material write-up. Best of luck. 

(Two words, Gotoba and wari-kōgai slipped through the spell checker.)

 

 

[Shugyosha]

5 hours ago, vitamin said:

You can't ship to USA? We saved you from the Nazis. ;D

 

And we saved you from the French.

[Shugyosha]

Good luck and I hope it's going well.

[Lewis B]

6 hours ago, vitamin said:

You can't ship to USA? We saved you from the Nazis. ;D

And UK have only recently finished paying for the privilege. Final bill $35billion (todays money). Thanks buddy. 

[Matsunoki]

Quick update. Dreadful fair with very negative vibe. Think several things…. Election. Father’s Day. State of the country. Shipping problems. Sword bans. Useless government etc etc - many people seemed on a downer. Great to meet some token and NMB members, that alone was worth it but NO SALES ON THE DAY☹️ but that’s ok. I was the new boy. Many people said I had the best swords there. Couple of possible after sales. Many sold nothing- guns included. 
However I had three pre fair sales thanks to this forum ( thanks guys, they are nice pieces) so Brian a donation will be heading your way when I get home. 
Pics will just show a load of miserable people….. maybe later when I get home.

Sad but that’s what I expected. Bloody mess in the UK right now😊😡

[Matsunoki]

7 hours ago, Bugyotsuji said:

Two words, Gotoba and wari-kōgai slipped through the spell checker.)

Hell Piers, that’s good for me. I spend more time correcting autocorrect than I do typing. Anyway here is an image of current activity 

[Samurai Art]

Colin,
it was a pleasure to meet you today. You had some really nice items to offer.

best regards

David

[Matsunoki]

6 minutes ago, MIFUNE said:

it was a pleasure to meet you today.

David, likewise. Than you. 

[Brian]

Really surprised to hear that. I would have thought there were enthusiasts who would jump at the chance not to have to ship items. Plus recognize quality and stuff they don't see often.
Sad. But I hope you had a good time. Glad you had some sales here Colin. Post some pics in the FS section, I am sure there are some buyers still lurking. Pretty sure European buyers can find someone to bring them back as luggage.
 

[Brendan campbell]

Colin, so sorry to hear that it was a very negative fair. I think you hit all the problems on the head in your summing up. I noticed a couple of new traders I had not seen before, but as I was not in the buying mood  I would not look at their stock. I was very happy to meet you and make contact. I was really pleased to show you my 2 swords that were sporting their new polish. Thank you for your very nice comments, I appreciate your keen eye and your knowledge, it’s good to be able to have a collectors view especially when you previously owned both swords . I’m sure you have made some good contacts for the future. I most times don’t buy there and then, I go home and hopefully do my homework, but I think every dealer there  is the same boat within the  current problems we have in the UK. 

[Brendan campbell]

So sorry Colin, while trying to soften the  bad day you had, I forgot to say, how good the  display of your swords was. Also how much information you had for each piece , very professional , you had put in great effort , I hope you will try again. 

[Lewis B]

7 hours ago, Brendan campbell said:

So sorry Colin, while trying to soften the  bad day you had, I forgot to say, how good the  display of your swords was. Also how much information you had for each piece , very professional , you had put in great effort , I hope you will try again. 

As a novice collector, I have to applaud sellers who put more effort than just slap a price tag (if lucky) on the blades they're selling at a show. It's one of the reasons I sorely miss Darcy Brockbank and his Yuhindo and Nihonto.ca sites. 

[Matsunoki]

7 hours ago, Brendan campbell said:

I hope you will try again. 

Thanks Brendan. Yep, I’ll be there next time….stressful but great fun😳 I’ll bring a different selection, maybe Kabuto, Abumi, very well mounted Tanto, some tsuba, different Tachi…..let’s see what happens between now and September.

Thanks for bringing those two super swords. Wish I hadn’t sold them!🙂 Driving home now.

Best. Colin

[Bugyotsuji]

Dang, 15th September, can’t make that one either. 

[Matsunoki]

Just a follow-up…..a bit  more encouraging! I’ve had quite a lot of post fair enquiries and follow-ups resulting in firm sales and a couple of possibles. I guess potential buyers are wisely sleeping on it before committing. That’s unsurprising given the rather chaotic atmosphere of an Arms Fair coupled with lighting that was pretty unsuitable for sword viewing!

So, not so bad after all. There is life in the UK market….
 

[Alex A]

The thing about buying at arms fairs, Colin.

 

Its difficult, is for me anyways.

 

Need time to go home and do some research about what i just looked at.